Some say we are making a big deal out of this. It is a big deal to have rust inside an expensive new car due to inadequate QC. It is so ridiculous that in this day and age a modern expensive car should have a rust issue. It is shameful and shocking that BMW have allowed such a situation to develop. It has now become a global issue and BMW should come clean and provide all affected owners with a seamless solution. In fact, they should instigate an official re-call.

Removing and re-installing seats especially with the replacement of seat bases, can lead to damage of other trim panels. The seats, particularly leather ones, are never the same afterwards. In fact, brand new complete seats should be provided for the affected cars. BMW needs to provide this goodwill gesture for all the incovenience and stress the situation is causing. At present, they have too much wriggle room by doing just the bare minimum by replacing or rust coating the rusty seat bases.

Lastly, I bet BMW knew there was a rust problem and they hoped against hope that no one would notice or take issue. Now how bad and callous is that?

Does anyone know if the new replacement seats (and seats used November production) look any different? Does it appear to have some kind of coating or paint on the metal?

Also, for the Canadians in this thread (LewisHamilton, etc.) how did BMW Canada handle your seat issue? Did anything come of it?

I have a November build 335i. Upon looking under both front seats I see that there is no rust. I did notice what appeared to be evidence that the silver metal had been dipped or sprayed with something. It kind of looks like what dried milk or something similar might look like on a metal surface once dried.

I have a November build 335i. Upon looking under both front seats I see that there is no rust. I did notice what appeared to be evidence that the silver metal had been dipped or sprayed with something. It kind of looks like what dried milk or something similar might look like on a metal surface once dried.

BMW found the rusty seat problem and fixed it since Nov 2012 production.
Before Nov. 2012 production, almost every F30 has rusty seat frames, and BMW tried to keep it secret, hoping nobody look under the seats!

Some say we are making a big deal out of this. It is a big deal to have rust inside an expensive new car due to inadequate QC. It is so ridiculous that in this day and age a modern expensive car should have a rust issue. It is shameful and shocking that BMW have allowed such a situation to develop. It has now become a global issue and BMW should come clean and provide all affected owners with a seamless solution. In fact, they should instigate an official re-call.

Removing and re-installing seats especially with the replacement of seat bases, can lead to damage of other trim panels. The seats, particularly leather ones, are never the same afterwards. In fact, brand new complete seats should be provided for the affected cars. BMW needs to provide this goodwill gesture for all the incovenience and stress the situation is causing. At present, they have too much wriggle room by doing just the bare minimum by replacing or rust coating the rusty seat bases.

Lastly, I bet BMW knew there was a rust problem and they hoped against hope that no one would notice or take issue. Now how bad and callous is that?

Well let's hope the tech's are competent enough NOT to knick the trim, etc....I suspect it won't require taking the seat physically out, you can actually drop the seat back on to the rear seats, change the base, and screw everything back in.

This is a fear of mine though, usually things are done nice and tight at the factory, if you loosen it, might lead to weird issues down the pike.

I've installed Recaro seats into previous cars before, and honestly, it's pretty straightforward, so hoping the tech's can manage to do it right...HOPING!

i don't think people realize how much more expensive these cars are overseas.. if this guy trashed this car, chances are he could probably buy a bunch more.. chump change for him.. not to mention only the extremely WEALTHY are able to afford such cars
we're lucky to live in the U.S.
ours only cost a fraction of what they would overseas..

From having bought 3 BMW's while living in Germany, they are not more expensive relative to other cars there. Both comparable Ford and VW models (Mondeo and Jetta) would have been more expensive for me to purchase than the BMW.

BMW found the rusty seat problem and fixed it since Nov 2012 production.
Before Nov. 2012 production, almost every F30 has rusty seat frames, and BMW tried to keep it secret, hoping nobody look under the seats!

It must have been before that as my car is a sept 2012 production and seats are perfect. No rust at all.

Just spoke to customer relations. They of course acted like I am the first person to ever call regarding the rust issue. Needless to say, they want me to bring the car in for a tech to look at it. I can then make a request to have the seats fully replaced or just the frame and hinges and they will "review" my request. I made it clear that the car is less than 2 weeks old with 400 miles on it.

Has anyone been successful in the US at getting parts or the whole seats replaced?